Effects of Percutaneous Neuromodulation on Vertical Jump

Summary

Vertical jump performance is a determinant factor in physical performance, both in sports and in daily life and work activities. The muscular power of the lower limbs and the ability to generate explosive strength directly influence vertical jump performance and athletic success. For this reason, the vertical jump is widely used as a field test to evaluate performance capacity.

Different strategies have been used to improve vertical jump performance, such as plyometric training (PT) and electrostimulation (EMS). PT consists of stretch-shortening cycle movements that involve high-intensity eccentric contractions followed by rapid and powerful concentric actions. EMS applies electrical current over muscles or peripheral nerves to generate involuntary muscle contractions. Both methods have shown significant effects in improving vertical jump height.

In recent years, new therapeutic techniques have emerged in physiotherapy to improve neuromuscular recruitment and functionality, such as ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation (PNM-e). This technique consists of the electrical stimulation of a peripheral nerve or a motor point through a needle under ultrasound guidance, for therapeutic purposes. Evidence suggests that PNM-e can improve pain, functionality, balance, and muscle endurance, and increase muscle strength immediately after application. Specifically, low-frequency PNM-e applied to the femoral nerve has been shown to increase maximal quadriceps strength and vertical jump height in athletes.

The femoral nerve plays a key role in quadriceps activation, a muscle group essential for knee extension and hip flexion, functions that are indispensable for both daily and sports activities. However, the specific effects of femoral nerve PNM-e on power and biomechanics of the vertical jump have not been sufficiently explored.

Therefore, the main objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the effects of ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation of the femoral nerve on vertical jump performance. The secondary objective was to compare the effects of isolated plyometric training versus its combination with PNM-e to determine whether the combined approach offers additional benefits on jump performance.

A randomized experimental study was carried out with healthy athletes who regularly practice sports. Participants were randomly assigned to a control group (two plyometric training sessions) or to an experimental group (two plyometric training + PNM-e interventions sessions); in both cases the sessions were separated by 7 days. Vertical jump performance was measured twice using the countermovement jump (CMJ) test (before the first session and after the second one).

It is expected that ultrasound-guided percutaneous neuromodulation of the femoral nerve, combined with plyometric training, will produce greater improvements in jump performance due to enhanced quadriceps activation and neuromuscular efficiency.

Conditions

• Healthy Athletes

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Plyometric Training

The plyometric training program used was the one described by Sankey et al. as an effective exercise program for improving vertical jump: * 2 sets of 10 tuck jumps. * 2 sets of 10 alternating leg bounds. * 2 sets of 15 two-footed bench hops. * 2 sets of 20 rim jumps. The rest time between sets was 60 seconds.

BEHAVIORAL

Bilateral femoral nerve ultrasound guide neuromodulation

Bilateral application of an asymmetric biphasic current to the femoral nerve with a frequency of 10 Hz and a pulse width of 240 µs. The intensity of the current was increased until a visible but painless motor response was achieved, using the 10-10-10 protocol (10 seconds of stimulation - 10 seconds of rest - 10 repetitions) described by MVClinic Institute. The current was applied using Physio Invasiva 2.0 ®, and Agupunt APS® needles were used, the length of which depended on the patient's anatomy, taking as a safety reference the measurement of the distance from the skin to the target tissue, estimating the size between 0.30 x 40 and 0.30 x 50 mm. Before needle insertion, the skin was cleansed with isopropyl alcohol and chlorhexidine, a clean skin antiseptic. After locating the femoral nerve in the femoral triangle using a General Electrics LOGIQ S7 ultrasound system, the needle was introduced using a long-axis approach, at a 45° angle to the skin, until it reached the epineurium of t

Sponsors & Collaborators

• CEU San Pablo University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Francisco Minaya Muñoz, Doctor · CEU San Pablo University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

16 Years

Max Age

35 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-07-08

Primary Completion

2026-06-30

Completion

2026-06-30

Countries

• Spain

Study Locations